I have an LL.M from Peking University in China, which consists of 906 total classroom hours, 144 of which are language and 54 practical experience, the remainder of which is strictly Law. No matter how I calculate it, I have a durational deficiency in terms of credits. China is a continental law system, which means I have a substantive deficiency as well.

Additionally, since I am not a Chinese citizen, I am not qualified to sit for the Chinese Attorneys' Exam.

I would like to sit for the BAR in the United States and originally thought NY would be a viable option after taking an LLM in the US, but a set of rules issued in April 2011 says that an LLM can be used to cure a durational deficiency or a substantive deficiency, but not both.

I am hoping that one of the readers here may be able to give some advice on the best way to satisfy the requirements to sit for the BAR in the US. I am 38 now and would like to embark on my law career sooner rather than later (i.e. getting a JD).

I am continuing to research the various states, as well as looking at various options, such as study in a Law Office, etc.

Please let me know if you have any insights.

Thanks!

based on my research, if you have LLB from a common law country (ie UK), you're qualified to take US bar.